Has the time you spend watching TV gotten out of hand? Do you find yourself spending hours surfing the Internet? Or, maybe you’re like many people who are addicted to shopping...even when they don’t have the money! These are “soft addictions”—activities that zap your energy, and keep you from living a purposeful and passionate life.
Soft addictions may not threaten your health or your job, like the big ones do. We all know that drugs, alcohol, and gambling can ruin lives. (Although excessive shopping can put you at financial risk.) But soft addictions can cause family and marital stresses, and leave you feeling disconnected.
How can you reconnect? First, turn off the TV, and unplug the Internet. If this sounds too painful, start by doing this for one day and build up to three days. If you are addicted to shopping, cut-up all but one credit card, and promise to use it only for emergencies. Try this for one week, you’ll be glad you did!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Drug Patches...Are They Safe?
Today, many drugs are available in drug patch form. What are drug patches? They are transdermal drug-delivery systems. And are they really safe? Yes, according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic. They have fewer side effects because they allow for lower doses and a steady dose of medication. Patches bypass the liver and intestines and directly deliver the drugs into your bloodstream, which actually reduces side effects and liver damage.
Currently, drug patches are available for testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, narcotic painkillers, anti-nausea drugs for motion sickness and chemotherapy related nausea, nitroglycerine (for angina), and nicotine (to help people quit smoking).
There are some downsides however. Some people have reported hives where the patch has been applied; other patients have experienced some allergic reaction. The good news—researchers are developing drug patches for diabetes, Parkinson’s, depression, and asthma that will one day be available for use.
Currently, drug patches are available for testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, narcotic painkillers, anti-nausea drugs for motion sickness and chemotherapy related nausea, nitroglycerine (for angina), and nicotine (to help people quit smoking).
There are some downsides however. Some people have reported hives where the patch has been applied; other patients have experienced some allergic reaction. The good news—researchers are developing drug patches for diabetes, Parkinson’s, depression, and asthma that will one day be available for use.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Expert Cooking Tips...
Eggs: The simplest way to tell if an egg is fresh it to observe its shell. If it’s rough and chalky, it’s fresh. If it’s smooth and shiny, it’s old. You can also place an egg in cold salted water. If it sinks, it’s fresh. If it floats, it’s old.
Cottage Cheese: Keep your cottage cheese fresh longer by storing the carton upside down in the refrigerator.
Measuring Corn Syrup, Molasses, and Honey: Dip your measuring cup or spoon either in hot water or brush it with oil before pouring in the syrup. This way, you’ll get all that’s in the cup to come out.
Milk: Rinse the pan with cold water before scalding milk to prevent sticking.
Cottage Cheese: Keep your cottage cheese fresh longer by storing the carton upside down in the refrigerator.
Measuring Corn Syrup, Molasses, and Honey: Dip your measuring cup or spoon either in hot water or brush it with oil before pouring in the syrup. This way, you’ll get all that’s in the cup to come out.
Milk: Rinse the pan with cold water before scalding milk to prevent sticking.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Real Estate Corner…
Q. My wife and I are thinking of buying a house as a rental investment. What should we know before taking the plunge?
A. Buying right is the “secret.” Your first step is to make sure the property is in an area desirable to tenants and suited for appreciation. Next, you want to purchase the property at a price and financing that will allow you to make a profit (and positive cash flow) while renting it out. Don’t forget to include any fix-up expenditures for getting the home in rental shape. You’ll need to create a budget of your expected rental revenue and all costs associated with owning the home – and be sure to allow for contingencies such as vacancies, unexpected repairs and maintenance, and tax and insurance increases.
Seek out the assistance of a competent real estate attorney to create a rock-solid lease document that protects you from problem tenants. You can use the document for future leases and tenants.
Determine whether you’re going to manage the property yourself, or pay a management company – and don’t forget to include management fees into your budget estimates. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home and need competent and caring representation, please call me at 206-226-0565.
A. Buying right is the “secret.” Your first step is to make sure the property is in an area desirable to tenants and suited for appreciation. Next, you want to purchase the property at a price and financing that will allow you to make a profit (and positive cash flow) while renting it out. Don’t forget to include any fix-up expenditures for getting the home in rental shape. You’ll need to create a budget of your expected rental revenue and all costs associated with owning the home – and be sure to allow for contingencies such as vacancies, unexpected repairs and maintenance, and tax and insurance increases.
Seek out the assistance of a competent real estate attorney to create a rock-solid lease document that protects you from problem tenants. You can use the document for future leases and tenants.
Determine whether you’re going to manage the property yourself, or pay a management company – and don’t forget to include management fees into your budget estimates. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home and need competent and caring representation, please call me at 206-226-0565.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Skin Cancer Alert
Melanoma can be a deadly form of skin cancer, but it can be successfully treated if caught early. The key is to check the moles on your skin regularly. Make sure you have someone else regularly check your back and the backside of your legs. Here’s what you should look for:
• An asymmetric shape, where one half of the mole does not match the other.
• An irregular border where edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• The presence of a number of different colors, including shades of tan, brown and black, red and gray-blue.
• A large mole or one that increases in size is of special concern.
If you have a mole that has any of the above characteristics, see your doctor as soon as possible to have the mole evaluated. Don’t wait to make an appointment...it could save your life!
• An asymmetric shape, where one half of the mole does not match the other.
• An irregular border where edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• The presence of a number of different colors, including shades of tan, brown and black, red and gray-blue.
• A large mole or one that increases in size is of special concern.
If you have a mole that has any of the above characteristics, see your doctor as soon as possible to have the mole evaluated. Don’t wait to make an appointment...it could save your life!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
How To Boost Your Charisma
In Just 5 Easy Steps…
Can we develop charisma? Yes, you can, says, D.A. Benton, author of Executive Charisma. Here are five skills you can practice to improve your charisma quotient.
1. Be confident. When introducing yourself say your name and then tell something about yourself. This helps to draw a question from the other person, and can lead the person into a conversation with you.
2. Walk with purpose. Pause before entering a room and project confidence as you walk into the room.
3. Use the double hand shake. When you shake someone’s hand, use the two-handed grasp. While shaking with right hand, your left hand grasps the person’s arm at or below the elbow.
4. Focus on your goal. Charismatic people know what they want and are passionate about it. Focus on what you want and how to get there.
5. Be a good listener. Listen when other people talk. Value their opinions and make eye contact.
Can we develop charisma? Yes, you can, says, D.A. Benton, author of Executive Charisma. Here are five skills you can practice to improve your charisma quotient.
1. Be confident. When introducing yourself say your name and then tell something about yourself. This helps to draw a question from the other person, and can lead the person into a conversation with you.
2. Walk with purpose. Pause before entering a room and project confidence as you walk into the room.
3. Use the double hand shake. When you shake someone’s hand, use the two-handed grasp. While shaking with right hand, your left hand grasps the person’s arm at or below the elbow.
4. Focus on your goal. Charismatic people know what they want and are passionate about it. Focus on what you want and how to get there.
5. Be a good listener. Listen when other people talk. Value their opinions and make eye contact.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Reduce Insurance Costs...
Would you like to learn how you can trim your insurance bills up to 20-30 percent? Here are five simple ways you can save on insurance:
1. Shop for the best price. This is the most obvious way to reduce rates. Contact various insurance providers in your area for bids.
2. Buy your home and auto coverage from the same company. Many insurance companies offer a discount when you sign up for both.
3. Increase your deductible. You can save up to 30% on your homeowner’s policy by raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000.
4. Install a security or fire alarm. You can save up to 20% when you have an alarm that notifies an outside company in case of theft or fire.
5. Take health and age discounts. If you’re a nonsmoker or if you’re over 55, you can receive discounts from many insurance carriers.
For more information, the National Association of Insurance Carriers (www.naic.org) has an outstanding website for consumers.
1. Shop for the best price. This is the most obvious way to reduce rates. Contact various insurance providers in your area for bids.
2. Buy your home and auto coverage from the same company. Many insurance companies offer a discount when you sign up for both.
3. Increase your deductible. You can save up to 30% on your homeowner’s policy by raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000.
4. Install a security or fire alarm. You can save up to 20% when you have an alarm that notifies an outside company in case of theft or fire.
5. Take health and age discounts. If you’re a nonsmoker or if you’re over 55, you can receive discounts from many insurance carriers.
For more information, the National Association of Insurance Carriers (www.naic.org) has an outstanding website for consumers.
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